If you have ever considered pursuing a graduate degree after leaving Concordia, now is the time to have your concerns resolved and questions answered! On Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., students have the opportunity to browse a wide selection of grad school options from across the nation. 

“Anyone who wishes to continue their education either for enrichment and for the love of learning, or if they have a goal to further their opportunities [should consider grad school],” said Janet Lee, Associate Director of Graduate & Adult Admissions. “Some industries require a Master's degree or higher and others see it as a benefit in order to climb the leadership ladder or or see a bump in their pay scale.”

“It's important to learn what programs are out there,” said Lee. "Not all schools offer the same programs and some might be a better option for a specific major. Also, like how someone selects an undergraduate program/school, meeting the counselors at the grad fairs can be beneficial as they are the ones who will walk you through the admissions process.” 

Representatives from over 20 schools ranging from Seattle to Sacramento will be available to answer questions and offer materials to prospective students. A diverse amount of programs are offered by these schools, such as the Master of Business Administration, a J.D. degree in law, or a religious degree at a Divinity School. 

“We do the heavy lifting of researching quality graduate programs and bring the schools to our students,” said Mariah Lucas, Director of Career Development & Vocation. “If a student is on the fence about grad school, I would encourage them to attend the grad fair to learn more about the programs and career outcomes possible. I would also encourage them to explore their career field on onetonline.org to see if Graduate School is a requirement for their field.”

Lee offered important recommendations to students from an admissions perspective. “It's very important that a grad candidate reviews all the necessary requirements prior to applying. Review the program's website and admissions pages—most programs offer very valuable information on how to apply and how to prepare. Don't be afraid to contact the school for questions, most admissions counselors are happy to help. Lastly, don't procrastinate! Some programs require a number of documents and some might take time to gather, so it's always good to start early and not wait until the deadline to start submitting items.”

Lucas encouraged students to take advantage of their on-campus resources as they prepare to make decisions about grad school. “Students can prepare for the fair by doing research on their intended field to learn if graduate school is a requirement, recommendation or something to avoid. They can do this through a Career Exploration Meeting with the Career team or through onetonline.org by typing in the job they are interested in.” 

For more information about the Graduate School Fair, students can visit the event page on Handshake or contact Mariah Lucas at mariah.lucas@cui.edu. 

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